Transfers from/to Orlando

Getting to the Florida airport can be overwhelming, especially when you don't know how to get around the city. However, there are many options for getting to and from the Orlando airport, which you'll find broken down in this article.
Transfers from/to Orlando

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More about: Transfers from/to Orlando

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located about 20 km south of downtown Orlando and is, along with Miami, one of the busiest airports in the State of Florida, receiving about 50 million people a year. That is why having a comfortable transfer to and from the airport without delays is very important if you visit the city, so you can enjoy everything there is to see and do in Orlando at all times.

The options to get to and from the airport are varied, and each one offers its advantages, so it is advisable that you know them beforehand, so you can choose the most convenient one. In this article you will find all the transfer options available to get to or from your hotel, with an analysis of each one in terms of price, duration, comfort and waiting time, among others.

1. A shared transfer, more comfortable and better priced

women sharing a car|©Fernand De Canne
women sharing a car|©Fernand De Canne

One of the most comfortable options to get from Orlando International Airport to your hotel is to travel in a shared vehicle with a maximum of 10 to 15 people. These vehicles are spacious, comfortable and fast, so in about 25-30 minutes you will arrive at your hotel, if it is located downtown.

It is highly recommended to travel around Orlando in shared vehicles with other passengers because they offer an excellent quality of service at an affordable price. On the other hand, other transports that carry few passengers may have difficulties to arrive on time, or may be very late, because they do not have much availability or cannot be booked in advance.

Another reason why the shared vehicle option is recommended is that the drivers make the trip through the streets less interrupted by traffic. In addition, it is possible to rest and/or sleep during the ride because their seats are very comfortable and you will not have the need to be attentive to the road as it would happen if you take a cab or an Uber.

Interesting details

  • Duration of the trip: from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the location of your hotel.
  • Price: from 35 €.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will travel more comfortably and you will arrive faster to your hotel at the time you book without delays.
  • How to book this transportation: it depends on the company chosen, but almost all companies allow you to do it online from your home, on the day and time you book it.
  • Recommended if... you prefer to enjoy the trip without worrying about delays or being attentive to the route as with other services.

Book a shared airport transfer from the airport to your hotel in Orlando

2. A private transfer, luxury and exclusivity trip

Woman driving|© Jenny Ueberberg
Woman driving|© Jenny Ueberberg

If on your visit to Orlando you do not want to have delays to move from the airport to your hotel, a good option is to travel in private transportation for 3 to 5 people maximum. You will arrive at your destination in about 25 to 50 minutes, depending on the location of your lodging and the traffic conditions at the time of the transfer, especially if you are traveling to Orlando in July, the month when students are on vacation.

These transports have driver-guides who speak several languages, and who will help you with your luggage both at the airport and at your hotel. The vehicles also have air conditioning and ventilation.

Exclusivity and detail are characteristics that distinguish these companies, since, for example, the drivers will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it at the airport. Then, after you pick up your bags, you will have no problem finding them, as these signs are written in large, clear letters.

Interesting details

  • Travel time: 25 to 50 minutes depending on location and traffic conditions at the time.
  • Price: from 65 €.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will reach your destination faster, in luxury vehicles and at a reasonable price.
  • How to book this transportation: in most of the companies you can book this private transfer online or by phone.
  • Recommended if... you don't like to travel with many people and you want your transfer to be faster and more exclusive.

Book a private transfer from the airport to the hotel in Orlando

3. Shared transfer with roundtrip reservation from the hotel to the airport and vice versa

Highway view from the car|©Andras Vas
Highway view from the car|©Andras Vas

If you have already chosen the best things to do in Orlando in advance, and you have planned your arrival and departure dates, you can book a round-trip transfer. You will be transported from the airport to your hotel, and vice versa, at the time of your choice.

In this transportation you will travel with a maximum of 10 to 15 people, in a very comfortable vehicle where you can rest or sleep during the trip, or enjoy the ride. All these vehicles have ventilation and air conditioning.

This option is very practical if you have already planned to be, for example, seven days in Orlando, because you will not have to worry about making a new reservation to go to the airport, which will save you time, since you will only have to make one reservation prior to the trip, and will allow you to focus only on enjoying your stay.

The vehicles that make these transfers have a current insurance policy for the safety of passengers. In addition, most of the companies offer free cancellation of the reservation up to 24 hours prior to the agreed time, according to the local time of the city of Orlando.

Details of interest

  • Duration of the trip: between 30 minutes and 1 hour depending on the location of your hotel.
  • Price: from 70 €.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will not have to worry about making a new reservation to go to the airport, since you will book at the same time both the round trip.
  • How to book this transportation: most reservations can be made online, or by phone.
  • Recommended if... you want to have organized transfers to and from the airport, without having to worry about delays with cabs, Uber and other transportation with limited reservations.

Book a round trip from the airport to the hotel in a shared car in Orlando

4. Private airport transfers to and from the airport

Person driving the car|© Sergey Tarasov
Person driving the car|© Sergey Tarasov

Transfers can be a headache if you don't have a reservation or if you have to think about it on the spot. Private vehicles save you that stress because you can book the round trip from the comfort of your home long before you travel, selecting the days and times that suit your itinerary, whether it's 1 or 5 days in Orlando.

In addition, these trips are made with a maximum of 5 people and a minimum of 3, which allows all passengers to travel comfortably, and have enough space to carry their luggage. Generally, the luggage consists of a suitcase plus a hand luggage. In case of larger luggage, it is important that you let the company know in advance.

You should not forget to let the driver know if, for any reason, you decide to change the pick-up address for your transfer to the airport. It is also important that you let the driver know if you will be adding any other luggage to your luggage, in case, for example, you decide to go shopping on any of your tours in Orlando.

In this type of exclusive transfers, most companies have a communication service between the driver and the passenger 24 hours before the transfer time to confirm the trip. Remember that cancellation is free 24 hours before the agreed departure time, but after that time there will be a charge.

Details of interest

  • Duration of the trip: from 25 to 50 minutes depending on the location and traffic conditions at the time.
  • Price: from 140 €.
  • Advantages of using this method: you will have organized both the transfer to and from the airport without the stress of looking for a transfer during your visit.
  • How to book this transfer: most companies offer online or telephone booking.
  • Recommended if... you prefer to rest during the transfer in comfortable, fast and luxurious vehicles, both on the outward and return journeys.

Book a round trip from the airport to the hotel in a private vehicle in Orlando

5. A cab or an Uber, an option that is not shared with other passengers

Person with cell phone in hand|© Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦
Person with cell phone in hand|© Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

If you traveled unexpectedly for business or did not have time to book a more comfortable transfer, such as shared or private transfers; or simply do not like to share the trip with other passengers, do not worry, because you will always have local cabs, or other services such as Uber, Lyft and Wingz.

These companies have applications that you can download on your phone, so you can request the transfer at the time you arrive at the airport in Orlando, but you can also book with a call. The reservation does not require much advance notice, but the time of arrival at your hotel will depend on the available schedule of the company you choose and the usual traffic delay.

Note that cabs pick up passengers at the stops located on level 1 of the airport and Uber, Lyft and Wingz pick up passengers in terminals A and B at the end of the curb on level 2. All these transfers have insurance policy up to date and the price is calculated with a taximeter that counts the value based on the distance traveled.

Details of interest

  • Duration of the trip: from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on the location of your hotel and the traffic conditions on the day and time of your transfer.
  • Price: from 40 € to downtown Orlando.
  • Advantages of using this method: you do not need to book in advance, as you can request one when you arrive at the airport.
  • How to book this transportation: most companies have applications for you to book from your phone, or you can request the service by phone.
  • Recommended if... you arrive without a reservation, you are not looking for a luxury transfer and you do not want to share the trip with other passengers.

6. A local bus, longer but cheaper

Green bus on the move|©Metrogogo
Green bus on the move|©Metrogogo

On your visit to Orlando, you can choose to take the city's public buses to your hotel. These take longer to get there and you will have to carry your luggage, but if you don't mind the weight, it is a good option to save money, so you can use it to visit some of Orlando's best theme parks.

There are several Flixbus lines that you can take to Orlando, such as 11, 42, 111, 105, 106 and 10, which are taken at Terminal B of the airport. You may have to transfer when you arrive at Terminal A of the same airport, before leaving for the city.

The bus arrives at the Florida Mall in about 50 minutes and there you must take another bus if you are going to downtown Orlando, so the transfer can take between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the location of your hotel. Undoubtedly it is a more complicated method of transportation to get to your hotel, since it probably will not leave you at the door and you will need to take another bus or a cab, but it is compensated by its low cost.

As an additional fact, keep in mind that another alternative to save money is to purchase the Orlando Tourist Card for 3, 7 or more days, as it provides discounts at various attractions, bars, restaurants and stores during its period of validity.

Details of interest

  • Travel time: 1 hour and 50 minutes depending on location and traffic on the day.
  • Price: starting at 2 €.
  • Advantages of using this method: you can get to know the city while traveling by bus.
  • How to book this transport: no reservation is needed.
  • Recommended if... you prefer to economize your stay and you don't mind carrying your luggage on the bus.

Buy your Orlando Tourist Card

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many airports does Orlando have?

    Orlando has 2 airports, Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Sanford International Airport (SFB). Sanford is the cheap alternative to Orlando, however, it is important to remember that you sacrifice quite a bit of convenience when flying into this airport. For this reason, most transfers set their pick-up point at the Orlando airport rather than Sanford.

  • How far is the Orlando International Airport from Disney World?

    With only 26 km (16 miles) between the Orlando airport and Disney World, it is relatively easy to get to Disney World from the airport. That said, it is important to keep in mind that getting there by public transportation will take between 1.5 and 2 hours. Luckily, there are dedicated buses that run routes between the two locations.

  • How long is the bus ride from Orlando airport to Disney?

    Due to its close location, a bus ride from the Orlando airport to Disney World takes only 20 minutes, making it the best option to get there, especially compared to Orlando's regular public transportation, which can take up to 2 hours.

Reviews from other travellers

4.5
· 1534 Reviews
  • E
    E.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    My driver gave me some helpful tips on places to visit in Orlando. I loved the conversation and the opportunity to get local information.
  • D
    D.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    After a long flight, I really appreciated having a driver waiting for me at the airport. It was a very convenient and hassle-free way to start my trip.
  • E
    E.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The vehicle that picked me up at the airport was clean and well maintained. I felt comfortable at all times during the trip.
  • K
    K.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    This shuttle service is an excellent option for those who don't want to worry about renting a car or navigating Orlando traffic. It saved me a lot of time and stress.
  • L
    L.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    My driver was very friendly and helpful. He made me feel comfortable and safe during the whole trip.